Dr. Frank Marascalco

Dr. Frank T. Marascalco

Clarksdale

Dr. Frank Thaddeus Marascalco, lovingly known as "Catfish" or "Dr. Frank", born in Grenada, MS April 14, 1923, died after a brief illness in Clarksdale, Mississippi on December 1, 2014. He was 91 years old.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2014 at St Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Clarksdale. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 AM to noon followed by a funeral mass at noon. Family burial will be at Oakridge Cemetery immediately following the service. Meredith Nowell Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Frank was the son of Charlie Anthony Marascalco and Rosaria Fertitta Marascalco. He was raised in Grenada, Ms and graduated from Grenada High School in 1941. While in high school he excelled in football as a speedy tailback and after graduation attended Sunflower (Moorehead) Jr. College on football scholarship. He completed college as part of the Army specialized training program, attending Ole Miss, the University of Alabama, and Texas A&M. As part of the Army, he was transferred to a training base to await deployment overseas. Instead, at the last minute, based on testing scores, the Army designated him to attend Medical School. He attended Tulane Medical School in New Orleans from 1944 to 1948. He graduated with his M.D. degree in 1948.

New Orleans was a special place for him with many fond memories of his time there. While at Tulane Medical School, he met Rita Mary Carmouche, a nursing student at Charity Hospital. They married in 1949.

After his Internship at Charity Hospital, Frank joined the US Air Force as a Captain and served as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at James Connelly Air Force base in Waco, Texas. Following his Air Force duties, he completed specialized training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane Medical School. Frank, Rita and their young family then moved to Clarksdale, MS, and Frank established a practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was the first Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist in the Mississippi Delta and his practice quickly grew from solo to include many partners and expanded to include much of north Mississippi. Frank's devotion to his medical practice and love of his patients was legendary, practicing medicine to the best of his ability, day in and day out until he retired at age 85. He personally delivered over 10,000 babies. He was the consummate professional, challenging himself to know more and be better, staying up late at night to read his medical texts, and always staying abreast of the latest advances. He was an exacting and precise surgeon and expected the same from those on his healthcare team. The goal was always excellence in patient care. In honor of his dedication and many years of service the labor and delivery suite at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center was dedicated in his name.

In addition, to Frank's work, he had many passions including hunting and fishing, gardening, playing the acoustic guitar, and following the Ole Miss Rebels. He was a member of Burke's Hunting club where he enjoyed the view of the Mississippi River from his cabin porch and spent many happy hours with friends and family. He loved music, of all forms, but celebrated and greatly admired the raw talent and the tradition spawned by the Delta blues musicians. To that end, he served on the board of the Delta Blue's Museum for many years and took great pleasure in its expansion and progress. He also served on the Northwest Mississippi Regional Hospital board and was a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Dr. Frank was not only defined by his work and his passions, but the love of his family and the pleasure he took in their accomplishments.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Rita Carmouche Marascalco, brothers, Dr. Sam Marascalco, Mr. Mellow Marascalco, Dr. John Marascalco, and his sister Louise Marascalco Hebron (husband Ken Hebron), two sons, Dr. Don Marascalco (wife Tricia), Mr. Ron Marascalco (wife Becky), daughters Dr. Belinda Marascalco Sartor (husband Dr. Oliver Sartor), and Rita Marascalco King (husband Rob King). His grandchildren include Beth Marascalco Jones (husband Paxton), Frank Edward Marascalco (wife Jennifer), Anne Claire Marascalco St. John (husband Trey), Jimmy Wayne Van Gossen (wife Stephanie), Frank Thaddeus Marascalco, Rachel Marascalco Berchmans (husband Joseph), Steven Anthony Marascalco, Megan Lynnell Marascalco, Carmen Marascalco Ulp (husband Zachary), Dr. Emmett Alton Sartor (wife Dr. Aneeta Saxena), Rita Abigail Sartor, and Robert August King. His great-grand children include Emerson, Elizabeth, and Olivia Jones, Camron and Chandler Van Gossen and August Ulp.

He was predeceased by brother Joseph Marascalco, and sisters Mary Marascalco Portera, Rose Marascalco Portera, and Dona Marascalco.

Pall Bearers will be Frank Edward Marascalco, Thad Marascalco, Steven Marascalco, Alton Sartor, and Robert August King. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Andy Carr, Dr. Charles Cesare, Dr. Bo Marley, Dudley Barnes, Hal Fiser, Tippy Olivi, and Lonnie Stafford.

There are many people who deserve special thanks. Joyce Handley, R.N., Mary Bickham, Yvonne Wade and Provenance Companion Care provided compassionate support that allowed him to remain at home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Ally, Clarksdale, MS 38614 or St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 130 Florence Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614.